Method for generating contrast enhanced ultrasound images with varied imaging parameters and ultrasound imaging device performing the method

A contrast enhanced imaging method, comprising:

• transmitting, via a probe, first ultrasound waves in a first pulse repetition frequency to a target object and receiving first ultrasound echoes returned from the target object according to a first imaging mode to obtain first ultrasound echo signals, wherein the first imaging mode comprises a first frame rate, and the first frame rate is pre-configured with first imaging parameters comprising a first imaging range and the first pulse repetition frequency;
• generating, via a processor, a first contrast enhanced image having the first frame rate in the first imaging range according to the first ultrasound echo signals;
• receiving, via the processor, a mode switching instruction to switch to a second imaging mode, wherein the second imaging mode comprises a second frame rate greater than the first frame rate, and the second frame rate is pre-configured with second imaging parameters comprising a second imaging range less than the first imaging range and a second pulse repetition frequency greater than the first pulse repetition frequency;
• transmitting, via the probe, second ultrasound waves in the second pulse repetition frequency to the target object and receiving second ultrasound echoes returned from the target object according to the second imaging mode to obtain second ultrasound echo signals;
• and
• generating, via the processor, a second contrast enhanced image having the second frame rate in the second imaging range according to the second ultrasound echo signals.

An ultrasound imaging device, comprising:

• a probe;
• a transmitting circuit which excites the probe to transmit ultrasound waves to a target object;
• a receiving circuit which receives ultrasound echoes returned from the target object through the probe to obtain an ultrasound echo signal;
• a processor configured to process the ultrasound echo signal to obtain an ultrasound image of the target object;
• a display which displays the ultrasound image;
• wherein the processor is further configured to:
• receive a first instruction input by a user;
• determine a first imaging mode from preset imaging modes in response to the first instruction, wherein the first imaging mode comprises a first frame rate, and the first frame rate is pre-configured with first imaging parameters comprising a first imaging range and a first pulse repetition frequency;
• transmit first ultrasound waves in the first pulse repetition frequency to the target object and receive first ultrasound echoes returned from the target object according to the first imaging mode to obtain first ultrasound echo signals;
• generate a first contrast enhanced image having the first frame rate in the first imaging range according to the first ultrasound echo signals;
• receive a second instruction input by the user;
• determine a second imaging mode from the preset imaging modes in response to the second instruction, wherein the second imaging mode comprises a second frame rate greater than the first frame rate, and the second frame rate is pre-configured with second imaging parameters comprising a second imaging range less than the first imaging range and a second pulse repetition frequency greater than the first pulse repetition frequency;
• transmit second ultrasound waves in the second pulse repetition frequency to the target object and receive second ultrasound echoes returned from the target object according to the second imaging mode to obtain second ultrasound echo signals;
• and
• generate a second contrast enhanced image having the second frame rate in the second imaging range according to the second ultrasound echo signals.